List of Hollyoaks characters introduced in 2008

Father Kieron Hobbs, portrayed by Jake Hendriks, was the new priest at St. Timothy's Parish Catholic Church in January 2008. He was taken in by Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane), who offered him a room without consulting any of her family. While settling into the family, he had caught the eyes of Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) and Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes). Committed to his religion, he looked out for John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), trying to advise him against a relationship. During an argument, Kieron came out to John Paul. Following this, John Paul threatened to out Kieron if he did not tell Myra the truth, but Kieron said he was happy with his life and stopped John Paul from telling. After a failed Evissa Fashion show at the SU bar, John Paul and Kieron bonded over beer, leading to a kiss. The following day, both agreed to forget about the kiss and resumed their friendship with a game of Truth or Dare, which ended in John Paul publicly purchasing beer in his underwear. However, their relationship became strained after Kieron snapped when he found out John Paul had mentioned him to Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby). A few days later, John Paul saw Kieron baptising Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan). John Paul realised he could not come between Kieron and his faith, and asked him to move out.

John Paul and Kieron struggle to get over each other. Kieron makes friends with Kris Fisher (Gerard McCarthy). John Paul cannot stop thinking of him during the 10 km charity run. Following a discussion afterwards, they admitted to their feelings and slept together. Unfortunately for Kieron, their night made John Paul realise he still had feelings for Craig Dean (Guy Burnet). He told Kieron and they had a fight. Kieron went to live with Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane). Kieron confessed his love for John Paul and said he was prepared to risk all for their relationship. While showering after having sex, they were discovered by Steph Dean (Carley Stenson) and Niall and Kieron was forced to end the relationship, walking out on John Paul while Michaela hid, listening. When Michaela told Mercedes that she thought she saw Kieron cheating with Kris, Mercedes punched Kieron in the face. Kieron realised that he loved John Paul McQueen, and was willing to risk everything to be with him. Before the wedding of Steph and Max Cunningham (Matt Littler), Myra found out about John Paul and Kieron thanks to Niall. Myra then told the rest of the church at the wedding. After insulting Kieron, she was removed from the church. With approval from Steph and Max, Kieron finished the ceremony. Kieron was shattered knowing his position in the church was ruined, John Paul took this as a rejection. Kieron assured John Paul that he was his life now, and he told Father Raymond he was leaving the church. Myra, when she heard from John Paul that he and Kieron were now in an open relationship was disgusted. After Tina McQueen (Leah Hackett) was in a coma due to Niall pushing her down stairs, John Paul rushed to the hospital. Niall told Kieron that he was tearing their family apart. Upset that he had caused grief for the McQueens, Kieron left for a few weeks. After time away in Aberdeen, Kieron returned and returned to his relationship with John Paul. An annoyed Niall tried to make Kieron think John Paul had spent all his time partying.

Kieron befriends Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and, while everyone else turned their back on Ste, Kieron took pity and did everything he could to help him after splitting with Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies), even risking his own life despite a phobia of heights on scaffolding when Ste threatened to commit suicide. Kieron quit his position as a priest. After realising the sacrifices Kieron had made, John Paul asked Kieron to marry him. After a moment, Kieron accepted. Myra was outraged, but soon accepted their plans. The return of Craig led Kieron and John Paul to separate. Some months earlier, Myra had told Kieron about the son she had given up at birth, and by September 2008, Kieron had tracked him down. On 5 September 2008, he confronted Niall, who then poisoned Kieron's drink. During Kieron's final moments, Niall confessed to putting Tina in a coma, drugging Michaela, and making Myra discover John Paul and Kieron's love affair. After Kieron died, Niall makes it look like suicide. When John Paul returned, he found Kieron's body. He called for an ambulance. John Paul sobbed as Kieron was taken away in a body bag. John Paul was not told about Kieron's funeral as such it coincided with Carmel McQueen's wedding to Calvin Valentine and despite getting dressed to go to the funeral after being told about it by Niall, Jacqui convinced him to walk Carmel down the aisle and respect Kieron's family's wishes and pay his respects to Kieron some other time which he did a few days later at his graveside by leaving a voicemail on his phone which he deleted straight after. John Paul did not find out it was murder until Niall attempted to kill the McQueens in October 2008. Provided by Wikipedia